Del Crandall

Del Crandall
Birthdate 03/05/1930
Death Date 5/5/2021
Debut Year 1949
Year of Induction
Teams Braves, Brewers, Giants, Indians, Mariners, Pirates
Positions Catcher, Manager

When Del Crandall started his first game on June 18, 1949 he became the youngest starting catcher in the history of the Major Leagues.

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In the collection:

Four-time Gold Glover Del Crandall made 11 All Star teams and received MVP votes in 7 seasons

Four-time Gold Glover Del Crandall made 11 All Star teams and received MVP votes in 7 seasons

Del Crandall broke in with the Boston Braves in 1949, as a fresh-faced teenager. In his second big league game he became the youngest starting catcher in MLB history at just 19 years, 62 days old. Young Crandall hit .263 and received rave reviews for his handling of the Braves staff that boasted Hal
Government postcards give great context to the signature and help with provenance

Government postcards give great context to the signature and help with provenance

Though Del Crandall’s signature is by no means scarce, examples such as the one shown in the previous image are highly desired. Shown here is the back side of the government postcard. Notice the postmark from Boston on June 19, 1949. A quick glance at Baseball Reference reveals that Crandall&#
Goose Gossage was sent down after Del Crandall's Brewers torched him for four runs in 1/3 of an inning

Goose Gossage was sent down after Del Crandall's Brewers torched him for four runs in 1/3 of an inning

An 11-time All Star Del Crandall enjoyed a 16-year career as a Major League catcher. He also managed over 800 games. In one of those contests July 17, 1973 Crandall’s Brewers faced off against the White Sox. Chicago starter Stan Bahnsen surrendered a grand slam to Darrell Porter in the second
Here's the document that sent Goose to minors after the rough outing vs. Crandall's Brewers in '73

Here's the document that sent Goose to minors after the rough outing vs. Crandall's Brewers in '73

Still considered a rookie in just his 46th career game Rich “Goose” Gossage got lit up on Monday June 17th, 1973. Brought in to start the third inning after Stan Bahnsen surrendered six runs in the first two frames against the Milwaukee Brewers, Gossage faced seven batters and got only one out. By the time he was mercifully lifted
Bud Selig fired Del Crandall as Brewers manager on 9/27/75; here's Crandall's last Milwaukee payroll check on the 10/15/75

Bud Selig fired Del Crandall as Brewers manager on 9/27/75; here's Crandall's last Milwaukee payroll check on the 10/15/75

Catcher Del Crandall started his big league playing career with 13 years in Milwaukee. He became a hero in the city, representing the Braves in 11 All Star teams in in eight different seasons – appearing in two games each in ’59, ’60, and ’62. Crandall left the Braves for San Francisco in 1963; the Braves relocated

6 responses to “Del Crandall”

  1. Bill Herbert says:

    Del Crandall is worthy of HOF enshrinement because his of excellence to Baseball in every role to which he was called. He presents the Game today with exemplification of the perfect Baseball Man. Examine his career and life with this in mind, and you see that Baseball needs his presence in the Hall today as much as he deserves the honor. Del should be Elected now, in his 92nd year, regardless of the consideration schedule.

  2. William Crandall says:

    Thanks you Bill, I couldn’t agree more!
    Bill Crandall, number 2 son

  3. Steve Woolf says:

    Absolutely agree on Del being in the HOF. There were three great catchers during his era and he was one of them. Great man!

  4. ron butts says:

    Del deserves HOF enshrinement. One of the best defensive catchers of all time.

  5. Gary Rosenthal says:

    Lets make a push to get Del into the HOF!

  6. Terry McDermott says:

    Del Crandall, an 11 time all star, not being in the hall of fame is ridiculous. He probably would have been a 13 time all star had he not served his country for 2 years during the Korean War.

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